make an exception in this case,” said he to himself, grasping the more eagerly at the consolation which these words afforded, the less foundation there seemed to be for it.
The vessel soon reached the land. There Camillo found his horses and met with troops and stores, and being thus again involved in the bustle of a military life, the voice of remorse ceased by degrees to make an impression upon him. He soon arrived at the camp, delivered his despatches to the Duke of Urbino, and was about to rejoin his own men, who had retreated with the great mass of the French army, when a horseman summoned him to attend Count Frangipani, who had occasion to speak to him on business. Camillo imagined that he could clearly foresee what awaited him: yet, to his astonishment, the count not only received him in the most courteous manner, and did full justice to the signal valour which he had displayed in the recent engagement, but added, that the emperor Charles having granted permission to the King of France, to repair with such of his officers as he should himself select to Pizzighittone, the king had appointed to this duty himself and Camillo Ursino, who might therefore make immediate preparations for the journey. The captain was thunderstruck. To Frangipani’s kindness, it was very evident, he owed the honour and the advantages that
